The timing is far from ideal with fellow back rowers Steffon Armitage and Virgile Bruni picking up minor knocks, while Juan Smith and Juan-Martin Fernandez-Lobbe are both away on national duty ahead of the Rugby Championship.

If they were all ruled out of Toulon's opener against Bayonne next week, Chris Masoe and Gerhard Vosloo would be the only back-row forwards available to Laporte, but the former French boss is confident at least some of his players will be ready for the game at Jean-Dauger.

“We've got some injuries. We don't know yet if they are serious or not,” said Laporte.

“Mamuka has injured his medial ligament on his left knee. He could be out for four days, or a few weeks.

“Steffon got his tibia stood on, while Virgile took a knock on a muscle which was already causing him a problem.

“We were up against a tough side and a contender for the Top 14 and Europe. We struggled in the first half up front. After the break we were better and started to dominate up front.”